MAGA Melts Down Over Statue of Liberty Mural

A new street art mural in northern France shows the Statue of Liberty with her face buried in her hands, a striking image of shame, grief and disbelief that’s sparked outrage among President Donald Trump’s MAGA supporters for its pointed political message. Knewz.com has learned that the Netherlands-based artist Judith de Leeuw, who’s also known as JDL Street Art on social media, painted the colossal artwork in Roubaix.

The Controversial Statue of Liberty Mural

Located in northern France, the mural is titled “The Statue of Liberty’s Silent Protest.” According to reports, de Leeuw spent six days painting the sharp reinterpretation of the famed monument that France once gifted to the United States to symbolize their historic alliance. In a statement, the Dutch artist explained that the piece expresses her deep sense of shame over Trump’s strict immigration policies, which led to the deportation of thousands of migrants. “Roubaix has a large migrant population, and many of them live in extremely difficult circumstances. The values that the statue once stood for — freedom, hope, the right to be yourself — have been lost for many,” de Leeuw said. The artist unveiled the towering piece on the Fourth of July, American Independence Day, in what she called a “meaningful coincidence.”

The Artist’s Thoughts on the Controversial Mural

Explaining the meaning of the mural, de Leeuw said, “The original Statue of Liberty was a gift from France to the U.S., a symbol that everyone should be free: free to exist, free to be themselves. But today, we have to ask: ‘Is that still true?’” According to reports, the Trump administration’s continued hardline stance on immigration served as a major catalyst for action for the Dutch artist. So much so that she could not “witness this kind of injustice without responding.” She further explained, “I was raised in a Moroccan neighborhood in Amsterdam and later lived in a predominantly African and Surinamese district. … Amsterdam is one of the most multicultural cities in the world, and I’ve always considered that diversity a gift — it fills our streets with color, culture and joy. Roubaix, too, has one of the highest immigrant populations in France. We share that experience, that understanding.”

MAGA Meltdown over Statue of Liberty Mural

While many Instagram users praised de Leeuw and her artwork for capturing “the rage, the exhaustion, the head-smacking frustration,” her controversial mural has drawn sharp criticism from MAGA supporters. Representative Tim Burchett of Tennessee slammed the artwork on X, saying that the mural “disgusts” him. “If any country ought to be kissing our a** it’s France. My Uncle Roy fought and died and is buried there for their freedom,” Rep. Burchett added. The Libs Of TikTok account on X also shared the artwork, saying that the “artist has a sad case of TDS” — or so-called Trump Derangement Syndrome. “New mural in France depicts Lady Liberty covering her face in shame. The artist says it’s because of our immigration policies. It’s not shameful to deport criminal illegal aliens and secure our border!” the account wrote. Several other comments on X, seemingly from Americans who voted for Trump, mirrored this sentiment, as one of them wrote, “France lectures America on immigration? Rich. While Paris burns from unchecked migration chaos, U.S. policies under the Laken Riley Act are finally deporting violent criminals and protecting citizens. Foreign artists virtue-signaling about border security should look at their own streets first. America prioritizes safety — no apologies. Weak globalist takes won’t stop us from defending sovereignty.”

The Artist Remains Unrepentant

Despite the criticism, de Leeuw herself stands by her piece of work. In a statement, she said, “I stand by what I’ve done. In a world that feels increasingly unjust, I believe activism is not a choice, but a duty.” However, she also acknowledged that her recent mural might make it difficult for her to travel to the United States. “I may never be allowed into the U.S. again. … Instagram has already warned me that my account could be removed. I’ve also heard that I may lose commissions because of this. But if that’s the price for doing what I believe is right, then so be it,” she said. “When friends ask me whether it was wise to make this move, I always say, ‘If I had been Adolf Hitler’s best friend, I might’ve been a millionaire by 1940. But what would that say about me?’” de Leeuw added.

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